sunset_horizons | 01 ❂ Mage Problems

01 ❂ Mage Problems

Who: Koko Himaa and Katherine Amell
Where: Run Down Apartment, Denerim
What: The champion of the Source revealed herself to be a mage in a world that fears magic... Oops.
Warnings: General prejudices and likely a bit of a scruffle.

When the human noble had begun to stir, Koko had taken the opportunity to flee before the man could call for guards or, even worse, templars. She had, after all, been here plenty of times before to have heard of how relentless this world's religious authority treated those gifted with magical ability. Leaving the bottle of Aqua Vitae had been her only hindrance, though as she jumped from rooftop to rooftop, she could hear the clanging of sabatons beating against the dirt and cobblestone paths beneath her.

Shite, even with her careful planning, she'd lingered just a little too long. Given just enough witnesses to likely collaborate the noble's story of witchcraft. How could she have been so reckless?

Koko slipped into an abandoned apartment with the agility of a rogue, silently thanking her foresight to train with a few members of the Scions. However she did not expect someone to be waiting for there, as she was about to call upon the Crystal in her possession to hop to another reality. Hiding it within her back, she nearly jumps as a few of the local templars enter the room. How in the seven hells had they gotten here so quickly?

"Ah! What brings you lovely gentlemen to such a dilapitated place this fine day...?" she asked, clearly stalling. There was no way the man had awoken yet; she hadn't even gone a couple blocks! So then, how?

"We have reason to suspect that you may be an illegal mage," the one in the middle, clearly one of the more aggressive lot, spoke as he pointed a sword at her from across the room. "I'm afraid you'll have to come with us."

"M-me? Are you mental?" She almost looked hurt by the accusation! "Tell me, how thick would I be to have come here of my own volition were that true?"

Yet they were advancing on her, and while she could easily dispatch them all, she would rather not have the blood of those just doing their job on her hands. She backs up slowly, feigning cowardice as she neared the window once more... Hopefully the glint of the azure Crystal's light outside the window would both be a distraction and enough of a distress signal to another mage not far from here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Katherine had left well before the man woke, herself - she wouldn't want him being able to give her name or likeness out to people.

When the templars run past her, she graciously steps aside to let them through, and walks quickly after them. She'd made no secret of recruiting non-blood mage apostates to save them from the templars, but the only time she'd ever fought any were when they refused to recognize the conscription, and attempted to use force, themselves. If these were even remotely aware of her mage recruitment tendencies, they'd know she was following to investigate. In fact, in the case of those foolish enough to try to counter with blood magic where she could see it, she'd even helped them, so depending on what they thought they were after, they might even welcome her presence.

But she's not fast enough; she sees the conspicuous glint of the crystal from the window and breaks into a run. What happens here, however, when the subject isn't even a Thedosian, herself? She has no right to force the taint on someone who doesn't even belong here, even if it's to save her. And not doing so will raise questions later on, from her fellow Wardens who would surely notice. No, a lie will not do. It will be discovered.

And yet...best see what they know about this situation. If they've been seen together or if her trip to the alienage seemed conspicuous at all.

Following the trail of open doors within the apartments, she eventually comes up behind the squad.

"Excuse me - what's going on here?"

Edited (better icon choice) 2016-10-23 22:16 (UTC)

"This woman is suspected of being an apostate, Warden Amell," the templar closest to the door informed her. "We had heard rumors of someone by this description sulking around the back alleys and the alienage. With reports of blood mages formerly in the area, surely you understand?"

"Ah, the depths of paranoia... though I'm afraid it is misplaced," Koko retorted, a little relieved by Katherine's presence. Though perhaps she could use the fact that she had a greatsword sheathed behind her back to her advantage. "I am but a humble warrior from a far-flung land who is far too curious for their own good."

Katherine peers over the other templars' shoulders. "...Which is exactly what she's told me. If she's indeed a mage, it would be a surprise to us all. Most of us don't have time to learn both effective magic and the skill needed to wield such a large blade."

Maybe she could use the fact that they might have been seen together before (like out drinking) to her advantage. She already had one advantage in her reputation as Hero of Ferelden, and being known to these templars already. But with rising tensions on the horizon (and Rylock and her squad having gone missing after going after one of her own), she knew her wits and any charm of sincerity she could muster may not always be reliable.

"Either way," she continued, her manner professional but not stiff, her arms folded easily so her palms were pointed at herself and her fingers away from the templars - her magic no immediate threat, "I actually know this woman. My friend here traveled from far away to learn more about the Wardens. If it would ease your concerns, she could stay under my supervision for the rest of her stay."

"A friend of yours?" One of the templars seemed to hesitate. All three seemed to give one another glances. They were aware of her recruiting habits, and yet... "Not that we wish to doubt your credibility, Warden," the self-same Templar spoke, clearly uncomfortable. "-but this woman, or someone uncannily similar, was seen in a confrontation with a noble in the marketplace."

"My sister, no doubt," Koko muttered, shaking her head as she gripped her armored arm with a hand. "Cotan always was the one with a temper..." Bullshit, but it wasn't like the men would know that.

"Sister?"

"She's an alchemist who's been looking into draughts that may help combat darkspawn and offer a slight resistance from their corruption," she informed the templars. It wasn't a complete lie. After all, she'd become interested in her friend's plight after learning of it accidentally. "We came here hoping to collect samples and test her creations on the field. Warden Amell has been assisting us in this matter."

The one Koko pegged as the trio's leader scoffed. "I find it hard to believe a knife-ear would know how to brew anything like that."

"Desperate times, gentlemen." Koko shrugged before adding, "Besides, I wonder who does all your cooking?"

Probably not the best choice of words, considering how their gaze hardened. She guessed those words struck far too close to home.

"She may not have her sister's temper," Katherine said, seizing on the opportunity to play along, "but do be wary of that tongue." She attempted to weave her way through the trio of templars as she spoke, to divert their attention away from Koko, keeping her posture and expression as relaxed as she could. At least one of them had shown hesitation in the face of her support - maybe he could help ease tension.

"The spirit of what she means is true, though. Have any of you ever been stationed at a Circle? In my experience, there were always just as many elves in herbalism lessons as there were humans, and they did just as well, too."

Katherine would find a little resistance in the one who'd remained silent, but as she spoke, he was the first to sheathe his weapon.

"...Very well," the more outspoken templar spoke, sheathing his blade as well. "However, one more report against her, and I'm afraid we'll be forced to take her in. We will not be lenient, not even for the Hero of Ferelden." With that, the three leave. The more sympathetic at least glancing back once with an apologetic look before disappearing.

"My apologies," Koko bowed her slightly with a sigh once the trio were out of earshot. "Of all the times to lower my guard..."

She gives the sympathetic one a nod and smile in thanks for his help, and relaxes for real when they're out of the room - which, ironically, makes the tension she was hiding visible for a moment before it's gone.

"It's all fun and games until someone sees you doing something you shouldn't..." Katherine shakes her head a little. "I keep forgetting, sometimes. Your world is kinder to its mages."

"...Only if you practice within the set boundaries." Which, as she had stated before, she and her sister do not. It was with relief that she came to realize that unlike her own world, the greatsword was no sign that she was a practitioner of a forbidden art. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. "Thank you, Katherine. Don't know what I would have done without you."

Bullshite, she knew full well... and it would not have ended as bloodless. Especially if her darkside took over from her.

"What are friends for, after all? I'm surprised they're still tolerating me, honestly."

She checked her pouch to make sure her gift was still intact, then joined Koko by the wall, leaning against it.

"But please try to make sure nobody is watching when you cast anything from here on. You heard him, I can't protect you next time without making myself a target. And they're already willing to ignore the legal protection of being a Warden, I know that much."

"Probably because the young one seemed to idolize you."

"The case with Anders, correct? ...I shall exercise further precautionary measures. Though this time, I... could not help myself." Not after what she had seen, nor what had truly started that argument. Her sense of justice was far too strong, even if she answered it with embarrassment instead of the sword. "He'd witnessed one of my visions."

You had a vision...?

[She'd only seen this happen once. Briefly, and-...oh no. She's starting to get the idea of what happened. She'd made it sound like it was only mischief to thwart a bigot, but...]

How did he- did your other self compromise you?

[Ah yes, she... never explained that sometimes a little side effect occurs aside from her Esteem taking over once in a while.]

My visions have a side effect on occasion, if the other has an acute awareness. A sense of familiarity to those I accidentally see into their memories. He recognized me from them after I glimpsed him mistreating his servants in the past.

[She sighs.]

...Which is why, after a few days, I shall take on another appearance. I will not endanger you or your Order with this glamour.

[Katherine nods.] It's for the best. I wish you didn't need to maintain a glamour at all. If those templars had decided to attack...

[Well, she doesn't need her friend in that kind of situation. Whether the first thoughts upon looking at her were "qunari", "desire demon", or "what are you?", the chances of it not ending in disaster were far too slim for her liking.]

[A frown crossed her lips at the thought, something steeling within her as she finished that sentence.]

-their bones would join the countless others in my metaphorical throne of bone. Magic or no.

[She absentmindedly brushes against the one thing that remained the same in all her forms - a single, long scar on her right cheek.]

Believe me when I say that while it gets old, not being me... no one knows 'tis in everyone's best interest than I. Too many have died for such a tragic misunderstanding.

And it's too easy to run afoul of those misunderstandings here. This world is...especially unkind, I've learned, now that I've been exposed to others.

[She looks out the window, at the streets of Denerim below.]

I can't keep asking you to meet me here. Maybe I should come to Eorzea for a while instead?

[She nods but once, searching the pocket of her pack before producing a small pearl that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light of the room.]

Then, take this. In the star of mine origin, these are how many of us keep in contact.

[She holds it out to Katherine for her to take.]

A word of warning, however: Latent magic is potent in Eorzea in the form of raw aether. As a mage, you may need to acclimate and relearn to your skills.

[An enchanted piece of jewelry is nothing new. Even so, Katherine takes the pearl and inspects it, as if the Eorzean enchantment or technology might have some new light to shed on her own magical theory just by looking at it.]

I've been once before, I think it might be safe. But thank you. How do I use this?

[Then again, she hadn't arrived in her true form. Who knows how that could have changed things?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

01 ❂ Mage Problems

no subject

great googly mooglely, this notice vanished into the fade--

lmao - nice fandom mashup there

I try my best. c:

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject